This collection has been published to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM), together with the valedictory lecture of one if its pioneers, Fried van Hoof. In 30 years, the role of regional human rights instruments and institutions has changed - their impact increased and, thus, more debate on their roles. Since these instruments and institutions are never a goal as such, but tools to increase social justice, the question has been raised: what is, or should be their contribution to social justice? The speakers at a conference on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of SIM, along with some of Fried van Hoof's former Ph.D candidates, shed light on various aspects of this question.